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PowerVault ME5: How to upgrade from controller firmware version ME5.1.0.1.0 to later versions

Summary: Administrators may be unable to complete the firmware upgrade from ME5.1.0.1.0 to later versions. Activation does not happen when partner firmware upgrade is enabled. As a temporary measure, disable partner firmware update, upload and activate the update on one or both controllers before re-enabling partner firmware upgrade. ...

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Instructions

This issue only affects ME5 systems currently running controller firmware ME5.1.0.1.0 when applying any future controller firmware updates beginning with version ME5.1.1.0.5

The ME5 release notes have been updated and outline a method to work-around the issue and successfully complete the update. 

For dual controller configurations firmware updates are non disruptive, however, connected host servers must have multi-pathing correctly configured and it is recommended to activate firmware at a time of day when IO load is reduced.

In some instances the PowerVault manager graphical interface may appear unresponsive after an attempt to activate the firmware update when partner firmware update was enabled.  If this happens, login to the partner controller and restart the management controller on the affected controller.  Restarting the management controller does not affect production.  In PowerVault Manager go to  Maintenance > Hardware,  From the Actions drop down menu, Select Restart/Shutdown System,  Restart MC, check controller A or B and Apply.
 

Procedure

 
  1. Download the Dell PowerVault ME5 Series Storage Controller Firmware from dell.com/support.
  2. Determine the current active controller firmware version.  
    If the firmware is a version other than ME5.1.0.1.0, skip step 3 and proceed with the update as normal.
  3. Login to controller A management IP address as a manage level user and disable partner firmware update.
  4. Upload the unzipped firmware update file (.sfw) to controller A.
  5. Once the upload is complete activate the later firmware version on controller A.
  6. Activating the firmware will take several minutes and the controller will reboot to complete the update. Allow 2 or 3 minutes for the reboot to complete.
  7. Login to controller A when the reboot has completed and re-enable partner firmware update.
  8. The firmware update will automatically apply to the partner controller.   To view progress login to controller B and navigate to Maintenance > Firmware  or open an SSH session to controller B management IP address, login as manage level user and run the command: show firmware-update-status
  9. The partner controller will reboot to complete the update.
 

How to disable or enable Partner Firmware Update

When Partner Firmware Update (PFU) is enabled firmware on the partner controller is automatically updated when firmware on the primary controller is updated.  To disable partner firmware update in PowerVault Manager navigate to Settings > System > Properties > Firmware Properties).    Uncheck Partner Firmware Update and choose Set Properties to apply the setting.       To enable Partner firmware update ensure the box is checked.
 

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Uploading the firmware

  • Download the firmware from Dell.com.
  • Go to Maintenance > Firmware > System.
  • Click, Browse For File and browse to the downloaded firmware bundle.
  • Follow the on-screen directions to install the firmware.
 

image.png

 

To activate a firmware bundle

  • Go to Maintenance > Firmware > System and click its Activate this Version link to display the Activate Firmware dialog.
  • Follow the on-screen directions to start the activation.

As part of the activation process the system performs these steps: check bundle integrity, check system health, update firmware on the local controller module, and restart the local controller module.

After the local controller module has restarted, the PowerVault Manager login screen is displayed. Log back in and go to the Maintenance > Firmware panel and verify that the new firmware is active on the system. An alert is also generated to inform you that the firmware has been upgraded.

 

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SupportAssist 

Dell PowerVault ME5 customers can enable SupportAssist to enable automatic case creation in event of hardware failure, send telemetry to Dell CloudIQ, easily send support logs to Dell technical support and receive proactive notification of available drive or controller firmware updates for the system.

To enable SupportAssist,  see PowerVault ME5: Alert - SupportAssist is not yet authenticated with the Dell backend

To use the Dell CloudIQ service, see CloudIQ: General procedures to onboard PowerVault ME Series arrays to CloudIQ

 

Support Notifications

To subscribe to Dell support notifications, see Support Notifications: Overview and Common Questions

To create an enterprise support business account, see How to Register for Access to Dell Technologies Online Support or Upgrade an Existing Account

Affected Products

PowerVault ME5012, PowerVault ME5024, PowerVault ME5084
Article Properties
Article Number: 000207483
Article Type: How To
Last Modified: 20 Jan 2023
Version:  3
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